Microbiome Medics

In this 3rd & final episode Dr Sheena & Dr Shiv get to chat to Professor Robert Thomas , a full time NHS Consultant Oncologist, Sorts and Nutrition scientist and active medical researcher who explains why he thinks the gut microbiome and gut health are key to cancer prevention, response cancer therapies and survivorship.They discuss diet, research and patient empowerment. It seems that small, simple , achievable dietary and behaviour changes really can improve outcomes , overall wellbeing and survivorship. Professor Robert Thomas is a full time NHS Consultant Oncologist at Bedford and Addenbrooke's Hospitals, a teacher at Cambridge University and visiting Professor of Sports and nutritional science at the University of Bedfordshire. He trained at the Royal Marsden Hospital had period of full-time laboratory and clinical research at the Institute of Cancer and Duke University, North Carolina. He now manages patients with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormones and biological targeted treatments but incorporates nutritional and lifestyle strategies to enhance their effect, reduce side effects and improve overall wellbeing.He is also head of a Lifestyle and Cancer Research Unit which designs and conducts government backed studies evaluating the impact of exercise, diet and natural therapies on cancer, other chronic diseases and more recently recovery from Covid-19. In collaboration with Universities in Southern California, Cambridge and Glasgow, this unit has published over 100 peer reviewed scientific papers and regularly presents studies across the World. He is a patron of two cancer support charities and advises Macmillan and other support groups on their informal materials for patients.He previously led the UK Polybalm and Pomi-T randomised studies and currently leads the UK's covid-19 nutritional intervention study (The Phyto-V study) assessing whether prebiotic polyphenol rich foods plus a probiotic could lower the severity and duration of symptoms.He is author of the UK bestseller "How to Live" and has been awarded The British Oncology Association “Oncologist of the Year” and The Royal College of Radiologist Research Medal.Twitter: @cancernetUKFacebook: @cancernetUKThis podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In this 2nd episode on cancer and the gut microbiome , our Microbiome Medics duo continue their exploration of the impact of the gut microbiome on all aspects of cancer biology focusing on responses to cancer therapies and the potential effects of medications such as antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors on the resident microbes.Dr Sheena discusses practical advice to improve gut health that she discusses with her NHS patients diagnosed with cancer and Dr Shiv introduces a few new concepts including the Oestrobolome and its importance to breast cancer and discusses a paper describing microbiomes within several different types of human cancers which may help further understanding of the impact of microorganisms on the hallmarks of cancer.This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

In the UK someone is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes. Every 4 minutes, someone dies of cancer. Startling statistics indeed, but did you know that human microbiomes, and the gut microbiome in particular, is pivotal to every aspect of cancer prevention, treatment response ,recovery and survivorship?Given the importance of the subject, your loyal microbiome nerds, Dr Sheena and Dr Shiv, have chosen to allocate not one , not two, but three episodes of Microbiome Medics Podcast to this rapidly evolving and complex area of research.In this first episode they get down and dirty with a cancer cell to figure out exactly how and why your resident gut micro-organisms might just be one of the most important resources you can utilise to harness the mighty power of your body’s remarkable and extensive anti-cancer systems. Dr Shiv thinks she can get you to fall in love with her favourite gut microbiome research paper and Dr Sheena gets all hot under the collar about the effect of sweeteners on gut microbiome function. Enjoy.The paper discussed in this episode is:O'Keefe SJ et al. Fat, fibre and cancer risk in African Americans and rural Africans. Nat Commun. 2015 Apr 28;6:6342. doi: 10.1038/ncomms7342.Chakalaka recipe link: https://www.wikihow.life/Make-ChakalakaThis podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.

Explore the significant impact of infant feeding choices on long-term health. Discover how breast milk enriches gut microbiomes with beneficial bacteria while formula's nutritional gaps pose challenges. Learn about the barriers mothers face in breastfeeding and the importance of support. Delve into research on Bifidobacteria infantis and its crucial role in gut health. This discussion highlights modern feeding practices and their implications for both maternal diets and infant wellbeing.

Discover how your gut is a bustling metropolis of microbes, where every birth method plays a crucial role. The hosts explore the dramatic rise in cesarean sections and its impact on infant gut health. They dive into the fascinating world of microbial transfer during birth and discuss innovative methods like vaginal seeding for C-section babies. Plus, hear personal stories that reveal the deep connection between birth experiences and microbiome development. It’s a must-listen for anyone curious about their internal ecosystem!

In this enlightening conversation, fermentation expert Janice Clyne shares her journey from processed foods to championing the benefits of fermented delights. She reveals how fermented foods impact gut health and discusses a fascinating study comparing fiber-rich and fermented diets. Listeners will love her simple recipe for Indian-inspired carrot kraut, showcasing how easy it is to incorporate these foods into daily life. Janice emphasizes the joy and health advantages of various fermented products, making a compelling case for their place in a balanced diet.

Dive into the intriguing world of gut health as experts tackle the hotly debated concept of leaky gut. They discuss its potential connection to chronic diseases and the skepticism surrounding its diagnosis. Learn how a high-fiber, plant-based diet can support gut integrity and the unexpected roles of archaea in digestion. The impact of emulsifiers on gut microbiota is also explored, revealing their potential to increase permeability and inflammation. Unpack the complexities of the gut barrier and its significance to overall health.

Delve into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome and learn how it impacts overall health. Discover the shift from traditional medication to a more lifestyle-based approach in managing chronic diseases. Uncover the connection between gut health and pain, and the surprising role of nociceptor neurons in mucus production. Recent research reveals how dietary choices shape microbial diversity. The conversation encourages embracing probiotics and nurturing gut health for a happier, healthier life.

This special episode of the Microbiome Medics podcast discusses the impact of the festive period on our gut microbiome. Sheena and Siobhan consider the positive and negative impacts of lifestyle and relationships and give tips on enhancing and protecting your gut microbiome over this period. Includes a festive research article and question and answer section. References"The effect of having christmas dinner with inlaws on the gut microbiota composition" Nicolieu C De Clercy et al; Human Microbiome Journal; Vol13; Aug 2019This podcast is brought to you in collaboration with the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.Disclaimer:The content in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on this podcast.